It has been reported that the average family in the US spends over $2,000 a year on energy bills, and more than half of that goes towards the cost of heating the home.
Now that we are getting into the colder months, it is time to start heating your home again, which can be expensive. This is why ensuring your home is properly insulated is vital during this time, as it could be an effective way to save money on energy bills.
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With the correct insulation, heat can be trapped within the home, keeping it comfortable and warm while also saving you money.
Here are five tips to improve the insulation within your home so you can get prepared for the winter.
- Seal Gaps Around Doors
If doors do not fit tightly within their frames, there will be gaps, and this can help heat escape the room, leaving it cold even when you have the heating on.
This is an issue that happens in all kinds of homes, which is why sealing your doors is one of the best ways to insulate your home. Gaps can be found around the door, but they are most commonly found at the bottom of the door.
These issues can be easily fixed in several ways, including:
- Weather strips: These are inexpensive and easy to install
- Draft stoppers: Also known as a door pillow or door snake, these sit at the bottom of the door to cover the gap there
- Cover And Repair Windows
Windows are another way that heat can escape the home, and they also let cold air in, reducing the temperature of your home even more.
A quick fix to prevent this from happening is applying tape or a clear plastic film to the inside of the window frames. To ensure this is an effective insulation technique, make sure to seal tightly. This is an effective, short-term solution.
For a long-term solution, replacing the windows completely will improve the heating in your home. This is something that older properties should do, as they are typically fitted with single-pane windows, which are not great for insulation.
To save money on your heating bills this year and every other to come, consider replacing your windows with double or even triple-pane glass.
- Use Your Curtains
You most likely use your curtains for privacy, but they can also be used for insulation. Curtains can be especially effective for keeping the heat in if you have drafty windows.
During the day, when the sun is out, make sure to keep your curtains open as this will bring in light and heat. However, when it gets dark, close the curtains to trap this heat in and keep the room at a comfortable temperature.
Curtains can provide an extra layer of insulation when they are used properly.
- Insulate Your Attic
Heat rises, which is why a lot of heat can escape from your home from the attic and roof. It is reported around 25% of heat escapes from the roof.
Proper insulation in the attic is not only a finishing touch but something that will improve your energy bills and help you save money. Insulating the walls and roof within the attic can help with this.
There are two options typically for attic insulation; loose-fill or batt insulation, but according to the US Department of Energy, loose-fill is best for the attic. This is because this kind of insulation provides better coverage overall when it is installed properly, so make sure to ask for this when insulating the home.
- Close The Fireplace Damper
Fireplaces can be a great source of heat unless they are not lit. A lot of heat can escape from this area, and cold air can also come in from the fireplace damper, which is why when the fireplace is not in use, you need to keep this closed.
The only time that the fireplace damper should be left open is if you have installed gas logs in the fireplace. This is because gas logs can release large amounts of carbon monoxide, and therefore the damper needs to be left open to help this escape.
Other than this, and when the fire is lit, close the damper.
Make sure to reopen the damper whenever you want to light the fire and maintain a safe home with the correct procedures for this.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to properly insulate your home, you can start to save money on your energy bills this winter. It is time to prepare your home for the new season so you can have a comfortable and warm home all winter long without breaking the bank.
These are simple steps that can make a huge difference to your home in the colder months, and the effects can be long-lasting.
Ensuring your home is well-insulated is an effective way of saving money on your energy bills while also reducing your carbon footprint, which may also be a concern for you.
Winter is not a great time to be struggling with controlling the temperature of your home, as you need to be warm and safe. This is why now is the best time to get your home prepared for the colder weather and make sure it is well-insulated to help you save money while also remaining comfortable.
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